Driving at cormorants in boats, firing small pyrotechnics
By KTVZ.COM news sources
POSTED: 9:33 AM PDT March 24, 2014
TILLAMOOK, Ore. -
Hazing of double-crested cormorants is set to begin soon in several areas along the Oregon coast in an attempt to improve survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead as they migrate from inland waters to the Pacific, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Monday
Double-crested cormorants are large, fish-eating waterbirds that occur throughout Oregon, and are particularly prevalent in the state’s estuaries during April through September. Research suggests that cormorants may eat significant numbers of juvenile salmon and steelhead that migrate to the ocean during this time.
To reduce threat to young fish, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is working with several nonprofit and local governmental organizations to haze cormorants in six coastal estuaries over the next two to four months.
Hazing will take place as early as March 27 and continue in most areas through May 31 in the Nehalem, Nestucca, and Coquille river estuaries and in Tillamook and Alsea bays. The program could continue through July 31 in Astoria, where the Clatsop County Fisheries Project manages a salmon rearing program.
Hazing generally will take place during the morning and evening hours, when cormorants feed most actively, in the bays and estuaries where young fish tend to linger as they make the transition from fresh to salt water.
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